Salem Tax Referendum updated
7/17/23
By:
Joel Pawloski
We put the Salem Payroll Tax on the ballot for the voters to decide with almost three times the required signatures. The Referendum will be on the November 2023 ballot in Salem.
On July 10, the Salem City Council adopted a new employee-paid tax on wages earned in the City of Salem. For the average Salem resident earning $62,192 annually, the new tax will cost over $500 every year! We believe Salem residents should have the opportunity to vote on this tax before they have to pay it. That’s why we have launched a referendum petition to put the tax on the ballot for residents’ yes or no vote. Please CLICK HERE to sign the petition and LET SALEM VOTE!
Salem Reporter: Salem councilors vote to tax worker paychecks after citizens overwhelmingly ask them not to
Councilors received over 130 written comments in opposition and 14 in support. About 50 people spoke at the council meeting, nearly all opposing the tax.
Many said they could not afford additional taxes, and those outside of Salem objected to the council imposing a tax on people who don’t live in the city and can’t vote for councilors. Some in that group said they were already nearing homelessness trying to pay bills and afford housing.
“I can tell you where I want to spend my money. It ain’t another tax. I got three kids,” said Jolene Koch, a Mollala resident working in Salem who teared up as she detailed the items she’s foregone for her family because she can’t afford them. “I’d like to put money in savings. I’d like to spend a little money on my health care that I need.”
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